How to Fix Hemorrhoids

Many people are suffering from the side effects of having chronic constipation and sitting while defecating, hemorrhoids might be the worst. I remember when I had an external hemorrhoid years ago. Severe pain when I sat, and itching so bad I felt like a bear who rubs their butt on trees to get relief. The only thing that brought me relief for my hemorrhoids was scalding Epsom salt baths. So, what are hemorrhoids and what can we do about them to bring some relief?

All About Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are vascular structures in the anal canal that sometimes swell and become inflamed. These structures help with stool control and act as a cushion composed of arteriovenous channels and connective tissue. Though the true causes of hemorrhoids are unknown, constipation is believed to be the main cause. Other causes and risk factors include prolonged straining or sitting, chronic coughing, and obesity.12

Diagnoses of hemorrhoids are usually made by visual examination or a rectal exam using an anoscopy (tube device with a light on the end inserted into the rectum). There are two different types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.34

Internal

Internal hemorrhoids usually present with painless, bright red rectal bleeding during or after defecation. The blood usually covers the stool (hematochezia) or is visible on toilet paper after wiping. The stool itself should be of normal color. Other symptoms include mucous discharge from the anus, itchiness, and fecal incontinence. Internal hemorrhoids only are painful if they have become thrombosed or necrotic which should be treated by a doctor. The degree of prolapse classifies internal hemorrhoids. Grade III and IV hemorrhoids usually warrant a visit to your doctor.56

Grade I: No prolapse. Just prominent blood vessels.

Grade II: Prolapse upon bearing down but prolapse is reduced after ceasing defecation.

Grade III: Prolapse upon bearing down and requires manual reduction by the person them self.

Grade IV: Prolapsed and cannot be manually reduced.

External

An external hemorrhoid is outside of the anal canal. If the external hemorrhoid is not prolapsed, then it may go unnoticed. If the hemorrhoid becomes thrombosed, then it may become extremely painful. The pain will usually resolve within a few days. Itching and irritation may occur with an external hemorrhoid. Try to sit on a cushion if possible and try to reduce the pressure on the hemorrhoid.78

Procedures and Surgery for Hemorrhoids

If my protocols do not reduce your hemorrhoid, then surgery might even be a need for relief. While most procedures for hemorrhoids are safe, sepsis and infections are possible. Surgery also poses elevated risks like uncontrolled bleeding, infection, anal strictures, fecal incontinence, and damage to nerves in the bladder causing urinary retention.91011

Rubber Band Ligation

Rubber band ligation is usually the primary treatment for those suffering from any hemorrhoidal diseases unless they have progressed to grade IV. In this procedure, an elastic band is tied around the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. Within five to seven days, the hemorrhoid typically falls off. However, if the rubber band is too close to the dentate line, it will cause intense pain after it falls off. This method has a success rate of eighty-seven percent and a complication rate of about only three percent.12

Sclerotherapy

When a sclerotherapy is performed, an agent is injected into the hemorrhoid to shrink the blood vessel. Usually, phenol is used for this procedure, which causes the hemorrhoid to shrivel up and disappear. The success rate for this procedure is around seventy percent.13

Cauterization

Cauterization is usually used only for hemorrhoids that are classified as either grade I or II. When a hemorrhoid is cauterized, a laser usually burns it so that it the blood flow is blocked, and it eventually falls off.

Excisional Hemorrhoidectomy

Excisional hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical excision of the hemorrhoid and is only performed in the most severe cases. It comes along with significant post-surgical pain that lasts for up to a month. However, if the hemorrhoid is thrombosed and has started to turn necrotic, this may be the most effective treatment. Application of glyceryl trinitrate ointment post procedure improves general healing and reduces pain.

Doppler-Guided Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization

Doppler-Guided Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization is a minimally invasive treatment that uses an ultrasound Doppler to locate arterial blood flow to the hemorrhoid. The arteries are then tied off, and the prolapsed hemorrhoid sutured to its original position. There is a slightly higher recurrence rate, but less complication and pain than having a hemorrhoidectomy.

Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy involves the removal of the enlarged hemorrhoidal tissue following the remaining hemorrhoidal tissue and stapling it back into position. It is usually less painful and associated with faster healing than complete removal of hemorrhoid. This procedure has a greater recurrence rate than the above surgeries and is usually used only on grade II and III hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Surgery Protocol

Uni-Fiber – consume one tablespoon mixed in a glass of water, three times daily.

L-glutamine – one the first day take 10,000 mg, in divided doses mixed in filtered water with meals. The second day take 20,000 mg of glutamine. The third day take 30,000 mg of glutamine for three more days then reduce by 5,000 mg each day until you are at 0 mg, then discontinue (use with caution if you have a sensitivity to glutamic acid, deficiency in GABA, or severe leaky gut and brain).

L-glutamine protocols have been shown in studies to improve surgery outcomes.19

Thanks for helping me understand more about hemorrhoids. My husband just made a complaint that he’s experiencing pain, of a little blood, and constipation. I already advised him to have it checked, but this information will help him a lot. He needs to see this.

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About John Brisson

John Brisson is the author of Fix Your Gut: The Definitive Guide to Digestive Disorders. Due to his extensive knowledge on the subject of gut health, John has been tapped by prominent supplement companies as an educator and collaborator on product formulation. As a lifestyle counselor, he has logged thousands of hours assisting people with digestive disorders and coaching them to improve their overall health. John applies his experience and ample research full-time to the construction of a dynamic, evolving database of actionable, evidence-based information on digestive health. Beyond what can be readily accessed on his website and in his definitive e-book, supplementary info from John can be found all over the web in his activity on various health information hubs and forums (including his own Fix Your Gut Forum).